The Atlanta, Georgia-based firm is accredited by the French World Cup Organising Committee (CFO) to sell tickets. On June 18, Knittle told police the firm's safe had been broken into and 15,000 tickets as well as 3.3 million francs (550,000 dollars) stolen. The reported break-in took place as detectives investigating ticket fraud were reportedly planning to investigate PSI.

"Substantial doubt exists" on whether this break-in ever took place, a source close to the investigation said. The day after the reported break-in, the CFO asked police to investigate how upto 500 fans turned up for the France-Saudi Arabia match with valid tickets that were reported stolen only 24 hoursearlier. A Spanish tour operator has filed two lawsuits against PSI for allegedly failing to deliver thousands of tickets paid for by Latin American football fans.

Knittle was drawn into the investigation after the Spanish tour operator alerted prosecutors that after reporting the break-in he had offered them 1,200 tickets. He told presecutors that when he reported the break-in he had forgotten to mention that 2,000 tickets were not stolen. Knittel was freed under judicial control, meaning he must remain in the country and report regularly to police.